New faculty spotlight: David Blaha, DDS

Clinical Instructor
Department of Surgical Specialties

Background: I graduated from the UNMC College of Dentistry in 1980 and received my certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery from Louisiana State University in 1984. I was in private practice in Lincoln from 1984-2013. During this time, I had various part-time clinical instructor gigs at the College of Dentistry. I sold my practice in 2013 and was a full-time faculty member at the Creighton School of Dentistry until I retired in June 2021.

I’m excited to be back at UNMC for many reasons. I thoroughly enjoy teaching and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with our students. And this feels in many ways like “coming home.” It’s great to be back with so many faculty and staff who have been friends and colleagues over the years. And I need a new student audience that hasn’t heard the same jokes I’ve been telling for the last ten years!

Hometown: I’m a native of New Mexico, but grew up in southwest Iowa and Lincoln.

My family: I’m married to my high school sweetheart who is a retired occupational therapist. We have three children who are all grown, gone and are off our payroll, and five grandchildren who are law-abiding citizens, so far.

Favorite things to do on a day off: I spend a great deal of time fishing. I also enjoy music and flying radio controlled airplanes.

Three things most people don’t know about me:

  • I’m an instrument rated private pilot.
  • I’ve been in three school bus accidents.
  • I graduated first in my dental school class.